Open AccessAmalgam phase-out, an environmental safety concern: a crosssectional study among general dental practitioners in Pakistan
Author(s) -
Salman Ashraf Khan,
Naima Khalid,
Obaid Bajwa,
Taha Qamar,
Ali Kazmi,
Amina Tariq
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/emhj.21.068
Subject(s) - amalgam (chemistry) , dentistry , mercury (programming language) , medicine , convention , environmental health , political science , chemistry , law , electrode , computer science , programming language
Background: Amalgam has been the gold standard for restorations in posterior teeth. Mercury, a major component of dental amalgam, is considered an environmental pollutant. The Minamata Convention on mercury recomends a reduction in the use of mercury-containing products. Since Pakistan is a signatory to the Convention, the same amalgam phase-out limitations are implemented in Pakistan. Aims: To identify and assess the use of amalgam and its waste management by dentists in Pakistan post-Minamata Convention guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore among 520 general dental practitioners in 2019. Results: The sample size for the study was calculated as 500; the questionnaire was distributed among 550 dentists. Dental amalgam was used by only 41.6% of the dentists in their practice; 55.0% perceived it to be a health risk. Most of the dentists (76.3%) were unaware of the proper disposal protocols for dental amalgam and 76.5% were unaware of any guidelines regarding amalgam use and disposal. Conclusion: Although there is a gap in knowledge among the dentists regarding amalgam disposal, dentists in Pakistan are reducing their use of dental amalgam in accordance with the guidelines of the Minamata Convention.